ENVIRONMENT

INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE

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India launched an International Solar Alliance (ISA) at the CoP21 Climate

Conference in paris (2015).

The new body, which has invited all countries located fully or partly between the
tropics of Cancer and Capricorn to join, is to function from the National Institute
of Solar Energy in India, Gurgaon. The Centre will provide land and $30 million

to form a secretariat for the Alliance

Objectives: to create a collaborative platform for increased deployment of solar
energy technologies; to enhance energy security & sustainable development;
improve access to energy and opportunities for better livelihoods in rural and

remote areas and to increase the standard of living.

ISA will have five key focus areas:- Promote solar technologies and investment in
the solar sector to enhance income generation for the poor and global
environment; Formulate projects and programmes to promote solar applications;
Develop innovative Financial Mechanisms to reduce cost of capital; Build a
common Knowledge e-Portal; Facilitate capacity building for promotion and
absorption of solar technologies and R&D among member countries.

To achieve the above overarching objectives

Collaborations for joint research, development and demonstration, sharing

information and knowledge

Acquisition, diffusion and indigenization and absorption of knowledge,

technology
Creation of expert groups for development of common standards
Creation of partnerships among country specific technology centres for supporting

technology absorption
Encourage companies in the member countries to set up joint ventures
Establish new financial mechanisms to reduce cost of capital in the renewable
energy

The Green Energy Corridor Project is an upcoming project which aims at

synchronizing electricity produced from renewable sources, such as solar and
wind, with conventional power stations in the grid. The conventional grids face
difficulty in absorbing renewable electricity because of its varying voltage and
supply. The planned transmission system would be made dynamic to handle the
variations leading to an integrated grid across the nation.

ISSUES DURING PARIS CLIMATE SUMMIT

failed ambitions on transferring low carbon technologies to the developing world
the lack of support for a plan to fund mitigation and adaptation efforts.
Under previous Kyoto protocol poor countries were not required to cut emissions.
India is emphasising this again and demanding that developing nations be allowed
greater room in cutting emissions beyond 2020, as they seek to eliminate poverty
through fast-paced economic growth. ( Indias share of cumulative global

emissions only 3 per cent.)

If innovators of green technologies have to be compensated, it could be done using
the fund, but there should be no access barrier to any country. Environment
Minister Prakash Javadekar has been saying that disaster should not be used to

generate profits.
Another contested area is that of transparency norms for use of funds. This has
been proposed by the industrialized countries in the form of a common framework
from 2020, but has also not found favor since it goes against the principle of
differentiated capabilities. The overall approach of the rich countries is seen as

expanding the base of contributors while shrinking the base of recipients.

India and other developing countries argue that far from making progress on flow
of assistance, advanced nations are trying to include regular overseas development
funding under the 100 billion dollar category, in a case of fudging and double
accounting.

Indias intended nationally determined contribution

Among its main features, it includes
(a) 33-35 per cent carbon emission reduction per unit of GDP from 2005 level by 2030
which is being termed as carbon emission intensity;
(b) installing capacity for producing 40 per cent clean and renewable energy, in the total
energy mix, which mainly consists of solar and wind energy, hydro-power, bio-mass and
nuclear energy; and
(c) aggressive re-afforestation efforts to be able to absorb 2.5-3 billion tonnes of carbon
dioxide by 2030.
our pledge document talks about increasing nuclear power from 5GW to 63 GW by
2030.
India has also decided to anchor a global solar alliance, INSPA (International Agency for
Solar Policy & Application), of all countries located in between Tropic of Cancer and
Tropic of Capricorn.
How it can be achieved
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First, sun and wind energy generation can fluctuate considerably at times, and
therefore the grid would require back-up sources and bulk power storage. We need

smart grids and smart sub-stations that will evacuate power and also store it.
It is estimated that we need 5 lakh acres of land for installation of solar panels, the
acquisition of which would pose problems in some States and, consequently,

contribute to its high cost.

To reduce pressure on land, the government should enjoin upon all new high-rise

buildings and existing public and private offices to install solar power units.
India needs additional forest and tree cover in order to create a carbon sink to the
tune of 680-817 million tonnes by 2030, thus creating a total carbon sink of 2.53.0 billion tonnes.

a funds requirement of $2.5 trillion at 2014-15 prices is not going to be easy. The
International Energy Agency agrees with Indias view that developing countries
should not foot the entire bill to combat climate change as rich countries have been

polluting the planet for more than 120 years now

We should make our State electricity boards ask consumers to pay market tariffs,

ensure more freight moving via railways and carry out agricultural reforms.
it is necessary to increase the energy efficiency of our appliances and buildings
through innovative technology. We should adopt a sustainable lifestyle and
stabilise our population.

Expert Group on Low Carbon Strategies for Inclusive Growth

1.
Power: In the power sector, it has suggested action both on supply and demand
side. On the supply side, we need to adopt super-critical technologies in coal. Gas
being in limited supply, its best use is not in base load power, but in combined heat
and power systems in large establishments. We need to invest in
renewable technologies, particularly solar, wind, hydel and second generation biofuels. On the demand side, we need to accelerate adoption of superefficient electrical appliances and pump sets through a combination of market and
regulatory mechanisms. We need to modernize our transmission and distribution
systems.
2.
Transport: On the transport front, we need to increase the share of rail. This is not
possible unless we drastically improve the efficiency of rail freight transport, and
also make it price competitive by bringing down the levels of cross subsidization
between freight and passenger transport. Completion of dedicated rail corridor must
be taken up on top priority. We need to improve the fuel efficiency of our vehicles
through both market based and regulatory mechanisms.
3.
Industry: The Expert Group has identified major sources of industrial emissions
and made specific recommendation for sectors like Iron & Steel and Cement, which
account for over 60% of industrial emissions. It is important that green-field plants
in these sectors adopt best technology; while existing plants, particularly, small and
medium ones, modernize.
4.
Buildings: India is fortunate that most of our commercial buildings that will be
extant in 2030 are yet to be built. We need to both evolve and institutionalize Green
Building Codes.
5.
Forestry: Up to the Eleventh Plan, our focus was on increasing area under forest
and tree cover. Given the scarce land availability, achievement in this front has

been limited. However, there is a tremendous scope for increasing the stock and
quality of existing forests. Green India Mission is being designed to regenerate at
least 4 million hectares of degraded forest; increase density of cover on 2 million
hectares of moderately dense forest; and overall, increase the density of forest and
tree cover on 10 million hectares of forest lands, waste lands and community lands.

Fuel efficiency: corporate average fuel economy are standard set by min of env to raise
efficiency of automobiles. It will save money on oil import bill. UNEP Global fuel
economy initiative says that developed countries can afford clear and high standards of
fuel efficiency. Rebound effect i.e people driving more because if increased milage can
be addressed by giving incentives for public transportation.

Sustainable Development
3 Pillars
1.
Produce differently: More efficient production i.e. use less resources to produce
same.
2.
Consume differently: Make consumption resource friendly.
3.
Organize differently: Increase public participation.

INDIAS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES

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It is a matter of satisfaction that United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

in its Emission Gap Report 2014 has recognized India as one of the countries on

course to achieving its voluntary goal.

Solar power in India is poised to grow significantly with Solar Mission as a major
initiative of the Government of India. A scheme for development of 25 Solar
Parks, Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects, canal top solar projects and one hundred

thousand solar pumps for farmers is at different stages of implementation.

The energy efficiency of thermal power plants will be systematically and
mandatorily improved. Over one million medium and small enterprises will be

involved in the Zero Defect Zero Effect Scheme to improve their quality, energy
efficiency, enhance resource efficiency, pollution control, waste management and
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use of renewable energy.

Urban transport policy will encourage moving people rather than vehicles with a
major focus on Mass Rapid Transit Systems. In addition to 236 km of metro rail in
place, about 1150 km metro projects for cities including Pune, Ahmedabad and
Lucknow are being planned. Delhi Metro, which has become Indias first MRTS
project to earn carbon credits, has the potential to reduce about 0.57 million tonnes

of CO2 e annually.
The switch from Bharat Stage IV (BS IV) to Bharat Stage V (BS V) and Bharat
Stage VI (BS VI) to improve fuel standards across the country is also planned for

the near future.

Indias share of non-fossil fuel in the total installed capacity is projected to change
from 30% in 2015 to about 40 % by 2030. India is running one of the largest
renewable capacity expansion programmes in the world. Between 2002 and 2015,
the share of renewable grid capacity has increased over 6 times, from 2% (3.9
GW) to around 13% (36 GW) from a mix of sources including Wind Power, Small

Hydro Power, Biomass Power / Cogeneration, Waste to Power and Solar Power.
India is one of the few countries where forest and tree cover has increased in
recent years and the total forest and tree cover amounts to 24% percent of the
geographical area of the country. Over the past two decades progressive national
forestry legislations and policies of India have transformed Indias forests into a

net sink of CO2.

For the first time devolution of funds to states from the federal pool will be based

on a formula that attaches 7.5 % weight to the area under forest.

India has also set up a National Adaptation Fund with an initial allocation of INR
3,500 million (USD 55.6 million) to combat the adaptation needs in key sectors.
This fund will assist national and state level activities to meet the cost of
adaptation measures in areas that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects

of climate change.
NAPCC

It is of immediate importance and requires action now. In the INDC, the country
has focused on adaptation efforts, including: a) developing sustainable habitats; b)
optimizing water use efficiency; c) creating ecologically sustainable climate
resilient agricultural production systems; d) safeguarding the Himalayan glaciers
and mountain ecosystem; and, e) enhancing carbon sinks in sustainably managed
forests and implementing adaptation measures for vulnerable species, forestdependent communities and ecosystems.

Sustainable Development Goals

1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere[21]
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable
agriculture[22]
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages[23]
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong
learning opportunities for all[24]
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls[25]
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all [26]
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all[27]
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive
employment anddecent work for all[28]
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable
industrialization and foster innovation[29]

10. Reduce inequality within and among countries[30]

11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable [31]
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns[32]
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts[33]
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for
sustainable development[34]
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably
manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and
halt biodiversity loss[35]
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development,
provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive
institutions at all levels[36]
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership
for sustainable development[37]

Impact of Climate Change on the Fauna of Himalayas

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The Himalaya is known as the Water Tower of Asia. It contains the greatest
area of glaciers and permafrost outside the Polar Regions, hence, is also
known as the Third Pole.

UPWARD MIGRATION: Climate change is altering the fragile ecosystems

of the Himalayas causing upward movement of vegetation and wildlife.

Upward migration has reduced the range sizes and distribution limits of
species. While some species might not get affected, the rate of effect differs
among others so that all species in a community do not synchronize their
shifting behaviour. Asynchronous shift results in changed species assembly
and community structure resulting in competition among species leading to
extinctions.

EXTINCTION OF UPPER HIMALAYAN SPEICES: Lower elevation

species moves upward along the elevation gradient but high elevation
species have no space for upward movement and hence have to face
extinction.

ALTERED REPRODUCTION: Changed climatic pattern may alter

animals reproductive strategies. They start breeding earlier or later than
their usual breeding season or produce lesser offsprings due to reduced
reproductive rate resulting in population decline.

CLIMATIC VAGARIES AND POPULATION DECLINE: The short and

heavy episode of early rain followed by dry spells leads to drying of many
streams before amphibians complete their metamorphosis. Such irregular
rainfall pattern poses serious threat to both eggs and tadpoles; either they
face the risk of being washed away by heavy rains or face desiccation
before the completion of metamorphosis leading to mass mortality and
population decline.

SKEWED SEX RATIO: Temperature determines the sexes in most reptilian

species, higher temperature favours female individuals. The number of
female offsprings is more than the males. Such deviation of sex ratio from
the normal can disrupt population dynamics

THREATNING ENDEMISM: Due to favourable temperature in the hills,

movement of species from lowland to highland occurs thereby threatening
the local diversity and endemicity.

WILD ANIMAL ATTACK ON HUMANS: Climate induced changes have

directly or indirectly impacted the habitat and distribution limits and the
food availability for wild animals. Due to shortage of food, wild animals
wander around human habitations in search of eating materials.

Kasturirangan committee Report Recommendations

Instead of the total area of Western Ghats, only 37% (i.e. 60,000 sq. km.) of the
total area be brought under ESA under Kasturirangan report.
Complete ban on mining, quarrying and sand mining in ESA.
Distinguished between cultural (58% occupied in Western Ghats by it like human
settlements, agricultural fields and plantations) and natural landscape (90% of it
should come under ESA according to committee).
Current mining areas in the ESA should be phased out within the next five years,
or at the time of expiry of mining lease, whichever is earlier.
No thermal power be allowed and hydropower projects be allowed only after
detailed study.
Red industries i.e. which are highly polluting be strictly banned in these areas.
Kasturirangan report on Western Ghats has made several pro-farmer
recommendations, including the exclusion of inhabited regions and plantations from
the purview of ecologically sensitive areas (ESAs).

Comparison of Gadgil Report and Kasturirangan Report

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If Gadgil report laid too much importance to environment, Kasturirangan

report was biased towards development.

Kasturi rangan report was criticized by many as that it provided loopholes
for mining, which if allowed would turn detrimental for environment, in

long term will affect development too. Anti- environmental

Gadgil report marked out 60 percent of the Western Ghats as the highestpriority Ecologically Sensitive Zone (ESZ -1). Kasturirangan report marks
only 37 percent area

Gadgil report put emphasis on gram sabha and developed a three tier
structure of decision makin involving people, state govt and central govt.
kasturi report put decision making in hand of bureaucrats.